£150,000 of National Lottery Funding up for grabs in the People's Projects

Last year Newry and Mourne Down Syndrome Support Group won £49,955 of National Lottery funding in the Big Lottery Fund’s People’s Projects for their Down Right Brilliant Youth Club project. Pictured holding the cheque in the centre are Joanne McDowell, Lottery Fund Director for Northern Ireland and Mairead Robb, DRBYC at Altnaveigh House in Newry.

Five groups from across Northern Ireland are set to compete for a share of £150,000 in National Lottery funding to make big changes in their communities – and Belfast Live readers will be helping to decide who wins the cash.

Each group has a chance to win up to £50,000 each and there will be three winning groups.

The People’s Projects, which will be showcased in the Belfast Live all next week from Monday, April 16 to Friday, April 20, will see community groups compete to win a Big Lottery Fund award for life-changing projects.

So be sure to check Belfast Live for all the details.

Voting opens at 9am on Monday, April 16, and closes at noon on Monday, April 30.

The three projects that gain the most votes across the campaign period will take home awards of up to £50,000, with the winners announced on May 3.

Monday, April 16: The Book Buddies project from Pawzitive will be featured. If successful, the group who use trained dogs to encourage children to read will receive £50,000 to extend their reading programme to new primary schools in the Co Down area.

Tuesday, April 17: Erne Craftie Women by Fermanagh Rural Community Initiative in Enniskillen. They hope to receive £49,920 for a project to skill isolated women up to restore donated or abandoned furniture. The women will develop creative and job skills and feel part of the community.

Wednesday, April 18; The Get Up and Go Green project from Longstone Special School PSA in Dundonald will be showcased. They are competing for £41,380 to create a community garden and run workshops to raise awareness of the environment. The garden will also be open to residents and other schools and community groups.

Thursday, April 19: The Huddle Project from uHub Therapy Centre. The group, who run an after school drop-in for children with ASD and their siblings, hope to receive £50,000 to expand their support across North Down and Ards to help more young people with behavioural, communication and other needs.

Friday, April 20: The Multi Sport for Multi Abilities from Superstars Club in Cookstown. If successful, they will receive £50,000 to run a year-long programme of physical activities for young people and adults who have learning and physical disabilities to improve their health and self-confidence.

Julie Harrison, Big Lottery Fund Northern Chair, said: “We are proud to support grassroots groups across Northern Ireland that are using the vision, determination and drive of local people to strengthen communities. The People’s Projects showcases the best of these and is a chance for you to have your say on how National Lottery funding can benefit your local community.”

You can vote for one project in each region per email address but your votes must all be placed at the same time. You’ll need an email address to vote. Click HERE for full terms and conditions. For details on voting by post call 0800 197 8610.